Chiricahua & Fort Bowie -- Apache land

We now understand how Cochise and later Geronimo and their Apache band hung out in this Arizona/New Mexico area.  Water was available from many natural springs, and the volcanic rock formations were great places to hide from the US Army when hostilities started.

At first, the Apaches allowed the pioneers and gold rush gang to pass through their land.  They even accepted the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach, as it barreled through their tribal lands on its 24 day 2,800 mile trip from St. Louis to San Francisco.  During this time the Apaches were mostly at peace and even offered supplies to the Stage Coach.   But when Cochise and his band were accused falsely in 1861 of ransacking a local ranch and kidnapping a young boy, war started.  For the next ten years, death and destruction came to southern Arizona.  Finally Geronimo surrendered and was removed to prison in Florida.


Fort Bowie was built to protect the local ranchers and travelers on their way to the west coast.  This National Monument is the only one where you need to hike in.  A trailhead, 1.5 miles from the Fort, is the beginning of the history lesson you receive as you walk the lands that the Army and the Apaches roamed.

Chiricahua National Monument, where we camped for four days, is located on the western side of the Apache Pass (Fort Bowie is on the east end).  In addition to the Native American history, Chiricahua is also a great park to hike the trails through the rock formations.  The later history of the CCC in the mid 1930s, is a great follow up to the earlier Apache history.  Most of the trails, and the support buildings including the visitor center were constructed by the CCC.

 

What a fascinating part of our country.